A new chapter begins for Harvey Football this fall.
Marcus Jones takes over the Red Raiders program following a 5-5 season, bringing with him a vision that extends beyond simply improving the win-loss record.
The first-year head coach wants to establish a new identity, develop a young roster and, perhaps most importantly, bring excitement back to Jack Britt Stadium.
Jones believes he has enough talent to get that process started immediately.
“I believe we have the talent on our roster to be an explosive group that’s tough to maintain,” Jones said.
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Experienced core provides foundation
Jones won’t be starting from scratch.
Harvey returns several experienced contributors on both sides of the football, giving the new coaching staff a veteran core around which to build.
Tight end and linebacker Jeremiah Rowdy headlines that group and figures to have an important role on both sides of the ball.
Tyson Sublett, ShaNathan Calles and Amante Arnold bring experience and leadership to the trenches, an area that will be critical as Harvey installs new systems and attempts to establish its identity.
Zion Walker also returns at wide receiver and defensive back after gaining valuable varsity experience.
Together, those veterans will be asked to provide more than production. Jones will rely on them to help establish expectations for a roster that includes plenty of younger players still finding their way at the varsity level.
That combination of experience and potential has Jones optimistic about what Harvey can become.
Young Red Raiders ready for their opportunity
The development of Harvey’s younger players could ultimately determine the Red Raiders’ ceiling.
Jones isn’t hiding from the fact that there are plenty of unknowns entering his first season. He also sees opportunity in that uncertainty.
“We have lots of young unproven guys who are excited to go out and showcase what they can do,” Jones said.
Among those pushing for larger roles are Xavier Rode, Savion Campbell and Marshawn Sturdivant.
All three impressed during the offseason and will have opportunities to earn significant playing time as Harvey works to build depth around its returning veterans.
Their emergence could be particularly important over the course of a long season. If Harvey’s younger players develop quickly enough to complement the experienced core, Jones believes the Red Raiders have the potential to become a difficult matchup.
Progress will define first season
Jones isn’t putting a single number on what would constitute a successful first season.
Instead, he wants to see where Harvey starts and compare it to where the Red Raiders finish.
“The strides we make as a group and as individuals,” Jones said. “How much better of a team can we be from Week 1 until the end of the season?”
That approach puts an emphasis on development as Jones and his staff begin building the program in their image.
There will be growing pains with a new coaching staff and young players stepping into larger roles, but Jones wants each week to represent another step forward.
By the end of the season, he wants the Red Raiders to be a significantly better football team than the one that takes the field on opening night.
Bringing excitement back to Painesville
Jones’ vision extends beyond the players in the locker room.
He wants Harvey football to become a source of excitement throughout Painesville again, with Friday nights at Jack Britt Stadium serving as a gathering place for the community.
“We can’t wait to bring a renewed sense of excitement and energy back to Jack Britt Stadium and the City of Painesville,” Jones said.
That’s a significant part of the new beginning Jones hopes to create.
Harvey enters 2026 with experienced leaders such as Rowdy, Sublett, Calles, Arnold and Walker providing the foundation, while Rode, Campbell, Sturdivant and the rest of the Red Raiders’ younger players attempt to establish themselves.
There will be plenty of new faces and a new voice leading the program, but Jones isn’t expecting the finished product to appear overnight.
The goal is to keep building.
If Harvey can combine its veteran leadership with the enthusiasm of its younger players and continue improving from week to week, the Red Raiders believe 2026 can be more than the beginning of another season.
It can be the beginning of a new era at Jack Britt Stadium.
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* Historical series data: Records shown are based on the OV Sports Engine historical football database beginning with the 1972 season. Earlier meetings may not be included.
2026-2027 Harvey Red Raiders Football Schedule
Date Opponent Series* Result Time Location Aug. 21, 2026
Friday7-7 W 27-22 7:00 PM Harvey Aug. 28, 2026
Friday20-7 L 41-52 7:00 PM Harvey Watch Sep. 4, 2026
Friday0-2 L 36-42 7:00 PM Harvey Watch Sep. 11, 2026
Friday0-2 L 0-21 7:00 PM North Watch Sep. 18, 2026
Friday2-2 L 14-16 7:00 PM Harvey Sep. 25, 2026
Friday4-6 W 20-18 7:00 PM Lakeside Oct. 2, 2026
Friday5-11 W 20-7 7:00 PM Harvey Oct. 9, 2026
Friday0-1 L 6-42 7:00 PM Harvey Watch Oct. 16, 2026
Friday1-15-1 L 6-21 7:00 PM West Geauga Watch Oct. 23, 2026
Friday2-4-1 L 28-48 7:00 PM Chardon
Berkshire Badgers
Edgewood Warriors
Lakewood Rangers
North Rangers
Lutheran West Longhorns
Lakeside Dragons
Madison Blue Streaks
Willoughby South Rebels
West Geauga Wolverines
Chardon Hilltoppers
